I like to keep just one thread, I think it's significant on what day I started this one. Also I think we have more discussions this way because it's always going to pop up on your user cp. If we keep making new threads, people would not know and/or be too lazy too look for them.

FLOWERY BRANCH – The real battle begins in training camp but Akeem Dent is laying the groundwork for the fight now.

Dent, in his second year out of Douglass High and Georgia, will compete with Lofa Tatupu for the Falcons’ starting middle linebacker position. He does so with the benefit of a full offseason routine, unlike last year season when the NFL lockout severely limited his preparation. When the Falcons did not re-sign Curtis Lofton, their leading tackler the past three seasons, Dent knew he had an opportunity.

“There were some rough times,” Dent said of his rookie season. “Going into these [organized team activities] is better for me because last year I didn’t have an opportunity to go through this phase. It’s going to be a real good competition between me and Lofa.”

Dent will have to learn a new defense as the Falcons brought in Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator this season. Dating back to his days at Georgia, Dent has played for four different defensive coordinators in the past four seasons.

“You always felt like he was behind because he didn’t have that foundation of the May and the June,” linebacker coach Glenn Pires said. “He came along as the season was going and he was catching up. I thought he was getting more comfortable. It’s starting to show now.”

Dent and Tatupu have been spending the offseason watching film and working through the Falcons defense together. Dent said he will continue to pick the brain of Tatupu, a three-time Pro Bowler.

According to coach Mike Smith, the real competition will begin in August when rules allow for pads and hitting. For now, there is more learning to do

Haha yeah, he was never more than a developmental player. James Rodgers is like his brother Jacquizz in the sense that he is a gamer. Not great measurables but he just knows how to play football.

haha I just went to the Falcons message boards for like the first time ever and some of them are really upset about this and had Pearcy as a lock to make the team. He's just not a football player and won't ever be in the league, he should look to find another job away from football. James Rodgers on the other hand knows how to play the game and I think he'll be a tough guy to cut from the team.

haha I just went to the Falcons message boards for like the first time ever and some of them are really upset about this and had Pearcy as a lock to make the team. He's just not a football player and won't ever be in the league, he should look to find another job away from football. James Rodgers on the other hand knows how to play the game and I think he'll be a tough guy to cut from the team.

I mean he has the elite measurables you look for, but football isn't played on paper.

Lofa Tatupu's pectoral injury left the Atlanta Falcons short-handed at linebacker. So they called up a familiar name.

The Falcons announced Monday that they signed middle linebacker Mike Peterson. The 14-year veteran started five games for Atlanta last year. The Falcons were hoping to get younger at the position, but Peterson will provide a steady presence for the team.

The severity of Tatupu's injury has yet to be announced, but we suspect he won't be playing for a while. Otherwise, why make the move to sign Peterson so quickly?

We never quite bought the offseason hype about Tatupu taking over as a starter for for the Falcons anyhow. He wasn't in the NFL last year, and it's rare a player returns from that sort of absence at a high level. The Falcons will count on second-year pro Akeem Dent to start. They don't really have a choice now.

Turner looked terrible at the end of the year last season, and he seems slower and less physical every game. Jacquizz is what he is, small but slow. He can't carry the loads for us, just a 3rd down back. We also have a rookie FB to block for them. I know the passing game might open up some holes, but the shaky O-line will close em back up.

Turner looked terrible at the end of the year last season, and he seems slower and less physical every game. Jacquizz is what he is, small but slow. He can't carry the loads for us, just a 3rd down back. We also have a rookie FB to block for them. I know the passing game might open up some holes, but the shaky O-line will close em back up.

Your already forgetting about Snelling?.....I know hes not the best
but hes a pretty solid backup, I'm sure Jacquizz will get his touches
in the run game but I think he'll be used more in screen passes
i.e. Maurice Jones-Drew

The thing I'm looking forward to the most
this preseason is how Kerry Meier will bounce back from his injury

When you’re a first-round pick, the scrutiny you receive is always going to be more magnified than some other players. The 2009 first-round pick, Peria Jerry, knows this all too well.

A significant knee injury ended Jerry’s rookie season in the second game of the year. To that point, he’d shown a lot of promise with his ability to push the pocket and pressure the backfield. It’s been a long road back for Jerry, but this offseason he has been blessed with solid health and an opportunity to get more snaps.

With Corey Peters missing the entire offseason and not yet cleared to practice in training camp, Jerry has been getting many of the first team snaps, lining up with the likes of John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux. So far, Jerry and his teammates believe things are going well for him.

“It feels good to be out there Abe and Babs and they’re telling me I’m looking good, and I’m learning from them, as well,” he said. “It feels good to be out there with veteran guys that are pushing me to be a better player. I respect them and I give shout outs to Abe and Babs.”

Jerry’s focused on keeping the aggressive and powerful play that made him a first-round pick out of Ole Miss, but has been supplementing all of that with work on what he calls the small things about the defensive tackle position: hand placement and technique. He’s working hard and relieved to have injuries behind him and be working in camp with a 100 percent clean bill of health.

“I feel like I’m over the hump now,” he said. “The only thing I can do is go out there and show everybody why I’m here.”

After a lost rookie season to injury in 2010, Kerry Meier has worked his way all the way back. Last season was a year of confidence-building for Meier as he not only navigated his first full season as a pro on the field, but also worked through coming back from a serious knee injury.

After a strong offseason of practices and five days of training camp, Meier appears to have a pretty solid grasp on the Falcons No. 4 wide receiver spot. It’s a position that requires some variety and Meier is the perfect player to provide it. He still must be a factor on special teams and he’s essentially a backup to all three of the Falcons first wide receivers. He’s been learning multiple roles in the offense and it’s clear the Falcons expect Meier to do many different things this season.

Meier’s quarterback, Matt Ryan, has seen first-hand the progress that Meier has made.

“Kerry’s done a great job, he really has,” Ryan said on Monday. “I think last year coming off the knee injury, he came back in and did a good and played in some spot roles for us. I think this year his confidence is back in his leg. He’s not worrying about it much. He’s just worrying about the things he needs to. He’s playing with a lot of confidence. I think he has our system down pretty good. I’ve been really impressed with him through the spring and the first week of training camp.”

A converted quarterback, Meier said during the OTAs period that he feels healthy and comfortable with any football motion on the field. His relaxed approach to the game is evident during training camp practices. While the Falcons are set with Roddy White, Julio Jones and Harry Douglas headlining the receiver corps, Meier is a solid fourth option and has had a strong camp thus far.